General and business aviation on the
Commission’s agenda

Today, the European Commission has adopted an
agenda for general and business aviation in Europe. For the first time since the
creation of the EU internal aviation market, the Commission has studied this
sector, quantified its value and identified the challenges that it is facing.
The Commission now proposes to integrate general and business aviation into the
EU air transport policy. Improving data gathering, screening of legislation to
ensure proportionality and integrating general and business aviation into the
capacity optimisation initiatives are the main elements of this
agenda.

Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner for transport, said: "We fully
recognise the value of non-commercial aviation and intend to work with this
sector in Europe, as it is a large source of employment, expertise, technology
and revenues".

General and business
aviation[1] is a very diverse
sector which greatly differs from the wider airline industry. These activities
mainly involve small and medium-sized enterprises or not-for-profit
organisations relying on volunteers. Very often these organisations or small
firms have limited resources to keep up with changes in regulatory or technical
requirements. The EU air transport policy has to recognise these
specificities.

The increase of air traffic in Europe necessitates the inclusion of general
and business aviation in initiatives for optimising limited aviation
infrastructure and capacity. Also, despite technological developments, general
and business aviation has an impact on the environment, and, like the wider
airline industry or any other means of transport, it must seek to minimise these
impacts.

General and business aviation offers flexible transportation for individuals,
enterprises and local communities, increasing mobility of people, productivity
of enterprises and regional cohesion. It provides high value services to the
general public, including environmental surveillance, fire-fighting, map
charting and emergency medical transportation. Recreational and sport aviation,
by promoting technical knowledge and aeronautical skills, is an important source
of qualified staff for the broader aviation industry.More information can be
found at:

[1] General and business
aviation encompasses activities ranging from recreational flying with
non-powered aircraft to complex operation of high-performance business jets and
specialised aerial works. There are up to 50.000 motor-powered general and
business aviation aircraft in Europe. In addition, about 180.000 – 200.000
of microlight and non motor powered aircraft are used for sport and recreation.
In 2006 nearly 10% of all aircraft movements registered by EUROCONTROL could be
attributed to this quickly growing sector.